NUBBY Synonyms: 29 Similar and Opposite Words

nubby

adjective

ˈnə-bē

Definition of nubby

as in nubbly

having small pieces or lumps spread throughout a nubby yarn that produces bumpy fabrics when woven

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

smooth

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of nubby Microfiber absorbs four times more moisture than cotton and the nubby texture grabs and holds onto soil until it is washed away. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 12 June 2026 Beyond batter and dough, nut flours lend delicate flavor and nubby texture to drinks such as a horchata, help thicken sauces, and make a creamy and decadent pastry layer. — The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026 The piece fell to her ankles in a soft, pale pink fabric with a nubby, plush surface and a structured collar. — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 3 Feb. 2026 Why else show nubby fleece trousers with a coordinating striped jacket, which nobody needs but would be a hoot to wear? — Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 26 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nubby

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nubby

Adjective

Lifting the lid revealed a small tart topped with a tongue of Spanish sea urchin, resting on a nubbly bed of cancha nuts.

— Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 22 Sep. 2025

Definition of nubbly

Adjective

Over months or even years of nightly use, even a once-plush, supportive pillow can become compressed, lumpy, and uncomfortable.

— Colleen Sullivan, Martha Stewart, 22 Aug. 2026
Named for the son of the Greek god Ares, Deimos, which means dread in ancient Greek, is a small, lumpy rock shaped like a potato.

— Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of lumpy

Adjective

No longer reserved for your Sunday best, Mary Jane shoes have gotten a major revamp in recent years, popping up in everything from chunky sneakers to sleek, minimalist iterations.

— Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 5 Sep. 2026
That perfectly-slouchy button-up or perfectly-cozy chunky knit?

— Christian Allaire, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of chunky

Adjective

The bag also absorbs some of the excess moisture, and moisture is the enemy that causes clumpy bits of flour mixture on the chicken’s skin.

— Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 10 Aug. 2026
Just be careful not to add water, since even tiny amounts can cause melted chocolate to turn into a grainy, clumpy mess.

— Daryl Austin, USA Today, 27 June 2026

Definition of clumpy

Browse Nearby Words

nubbly

nubby

nubile

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Nubby.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nubby. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of nubby

adjective

Example Sentences

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